Gupta Dham

Gupteshwar Mahadev
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
Deity	Shiva
Festivals	Mahashivaratri
Location
Location	Bihar
Country	India
Location in Bihar Show map of Bihar Location in India Show map of India
Geographic coordinates	24°45′58″N83°48′26″E / 24.76603°N 83.80725°E / 24.76603; 83.80725
Architecture
Type	Cave Temple
Temple(s)	1

Gupta Dham, also known as Gupteshwar Cave Temple ^[1] , is a natural cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a pilgrim site located in the Kaimur range in Rohtas district of Bihar. ^[2] The cave is known for a natural rock formation resembling a Shivling called Gupteshwar Mahadev. ^{[3] [4]}

Location

The cave lies at the foot of the eastern flank of the Chunda (also known as Goptha, Gupta, Gupteswar) ^[5] hill in the Rohtas Plateau, the most eastern extension of the Kaimur Range. ^[6]

History

The Gupteshwar Cave Temple is traditionally linked to the legend of Bhasmasura, a demon who misused a blessings granted by Lord Mahadevblessing was if Bhasmasur will put his palm on any head he will burn so Bhasmasur thought why not he use his powers on Mahadev. According to local folklore, Lord Vishnu intervened to protect Lord Shiva and in Mohini roop he hypnosis Bhasmasura by dancing with him to put his hand on his own head and ended Bhasmasura at this site, giving the cave its religious significance. ^[7]

See also

• Maa Tara Chandi Temple

Reference

1. G, CA Srinivasan Anand (2025-04-15). Taxmann's Mysterious Temples of India – Panoramic Look at 90+ Temples of India with Unexplained Phenomena—Revealing a Compelling Interplay of Faith | Folklore | Architecture | Scientific Insight. Taxmann Publications Private Limited. ISBN   978-93-6455-358-2.
2. "Gupta Dham | District Rohtas, Government of Bihar | India" . Retrieved 2025-06-27.
3. Bihar, India Superintendent of Census Operations (1965). District Census Handbook, Bihar: Shahabad. Government of Bihar.
4. Prasad, Kamla (1997). Geomorphological Studies in India. Rajesh Publications. ISBN   978-81-85891-05-7.
5. Geomorphological approaches in applied geography: 44 tables. Gebrüder Borntraeger. 1991. ISBN   978-3-443-21083-0.
6. "GUPTADHAM". Grotto Map (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-27.
7. Monuments of Bihar. Department of Art, Culture & Youth, Government of Bihar. 2011.